Caloundra Tourism

The historic Caloundra Lighthouse, located in Canberra Terrace, was built in 1898 and is the city's oldest building - constructed when just four other houses existed in the township. This Caloundra landmark stands beside a new lighthouse, built in 1967 at a cost of $38,000.

A historic calendar of Caloundra's old lighthouse

1898
Canberra Terrace was the site chosen for the lighthouse. It was described at the time as, "a sturdy tower of galvanised iron sheeting on a frame of massive tree trunks." Only four other houses existed in Caloundra.

1897
The first lighthouse keeper, Walderman Edlundh, lived in a house next to the lighthouse. His home also housed the post office and Caloundra's first school.

1910
The lighthouse first used a wick burner to guide ships into Moreton Bay's north-west channel. This was replaced with an incandescent vapour kerosene lamp, which was the first of its type in Queensland.

1942
The lighthouse became electrically powered.

1967
Another lighthouse was built next to the original lighthouse; the new lighthouse incorporated a signal station.

1970
Three years after the "new" lighthouse was built, the old lighthouse was moved by the Power Boat Club to Golden Beach; an action which saved it from demolition.

1992
The signal station in Canberra Terrace was replaced by an automatic installation on Seapoint units at Wickham Point.

1999
The old lighthouse was moved back to Canberra Terrace and became a historical centre.